At the end of 1940 the Żaks moved into the house on Grzybowski Square 1. Together with their cousin and uncle they lived on the first floor in one apartment. The hiding place for the "survivors" was a room which was separated within Mrs. Bratkowska’s apartment, Mrs. Bratkowska was Czesława’s cousins. In her apartment there were two rooms. Thanks to the family’s cleverness it was possible to organize the hideout for the Jews in one of these rooms. The bigger room was divided in two smaller rooms almost of the same size, so that each room had a window. 14 Jews found shelter there. They were Trefler family - Grandmother, Grandfather, siblings Janko, Zosia, Czeslawa, Jurek, Janka’s husband, Marynia, Marynia’s husband, Marynia’s mother-in-law, Ola and Mieczysław Grenberg, Rysia and her governess.
The rescued spent days hiding in a locked room. The only thing they could do was talking quietly, reading or learning. They did not have too much choice, however, the most important thing for them was surviving. Coming close to the window was strictly forbidden -any wrong movement could end up with death- not only for the "rescued", but also for their protectors. At night they slept on mattresses (only grandmother and grandfather slept on the beds), which at day served as tables. Living in such poor conditions, they waited for a better day. None of them knew when will it come, however, day after day they were closer to this date.
The Żak sisters did not realize that there were other people living in their apartment. They were only told by their parents that in their new home they should not invite friends and resign from their social life. They explained it to them saying that the new situation makes their mother nervous and not willing to take guests. It was after some time, when Czeslawa and later her sister were told what was really happening behind the walls.
The "rescued" paid for food themselves, they made their own cooking. On the contrary, the Żak sisters, teenagers at that time, were involved in the trade so that they could easily bring larger amounts of food into the house. Moreover, they were borrowing books from the library, and were bringing magazines. For the Jews who were hiding those materials were the only connection with the outside world. Only thank to the Zak sisters they had a bit of luxury in their sad everyday life.
drawing, a sketch of housing
When asked about the most horrible moments when Jews were being hidden Czeslawa notes that the feeling of fear never left them. The worst were the moments of the German searches. They searched the house on Grzybowski Square three times. One would say that it was not many “visits”, however every such “visit” could end up with tragedy. The first time it happened Czeslawa and her sister were at the bazaar busy with selling food. Later, their mother told them to stay in the city as long as possible- until somebody from the family comes to pick them up. She did not want to risk their daughters lives in the event of discovering the Jews’ hideout by the Germans. However, when the Germans came for the third time Mrs. Czeslaw was at home with her uncle. Her parents and Stanislawa left for the country to catch a little breath. The sneaks rushed into the apartment right in the morning- that day was a name-day of Our Justice. Only thank to Czesława they did not find the hideout...
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